Valve has announced the specifications for the prototype Steam Machine that will be sent out to 300 lucky Steam users for testing later this year. While we have yet to see a picture of the actual box, the specs reveal a small, but fairly high-end system, that Valve hopes is something “that a significant percentage of Steam users would actually want to purchase.”
According to the announcement, the Steam Machine prototypes will ship with the following specifications:
- GPU: some units with NVidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
- CPU: some boxes with Intel : i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
- RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB DDR5 (GPU)
- Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
- Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
- Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9 in high
Valve notes that all of the prototypes are built with “off-the-shelf PC parts,” and that are “fully upgradable.” Testers will be able to switch out the GPU, hard drive, motherboard, CPU, etc. for anything that will fit within the custom enclosure. Best of all, upgrades are completely up to “each user’s discretion.”
It is important to keep in mind that this prototype does not necessarily represent any of the Steam Machines that will be sold to the public next year. Those units will come from a variety of companies that will produce units to meet the demands of “lots of Steam users.” As such, many of those boxes will differ “substantially” from the prototype.
Aside from the obvious jealousy that we are all feeling towards anyone who gets one a prototype Steam Machine later this year, let us know your thoughts on the specs down in the comments. Is there anything you would upgrade, or has Valve exceeded your expectations?
